8/17/11

"Transgender people and our allies should see this as a slap in the face." -Ray Hill Houston Political Icon

The Endorsement of the Victory Fund is seen by most LGBT people as crucial in a political campaign and its absence would be indicative of a fatally flawed campaign, strategy or politician.

The who, where, why, and what does Sue Lovell have to do with it.

Jenifer Rene Pool, a transgender woman, is running for Houston’s Texas's City Council at Large Position 2 and if she should win it will be a historic achievement. Jenifer Pool would then hold the highest elected position ever achieved by a transgender American. She has the backing of every LGBT organization dedicated to helping campaigns of LGBT Americans except one, The Victory Fund.

What are the Victory Fund qualifications?

To be considered for endorsement, candidates must:

"be openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender; demonstrate community support and a realistic plan to win; demonstrate support of federal, state or local efforts to advance LGBT civil rights via the legislative or regulatory process*; and demonstrate support of federal, state or local efforts to safeguard privacy and reproductive freedom.*

Jenifer Rene Pool endorsements for City Council at Large Position 2 include:

Also endorsing is the Houston Stonewall Young Democratswho's president Robert Shipman offered this about their endorsement. "We screened four candidates and Jenifer Rene Pool was among the top two. We chose Pool because of her long history of helping and volunteering for the GLBT community, political viability and integrity."

In another phone conversation Houston GLBT Political Caucus president Noel A. Freeman explained that their endorsement of Jenifer Pool was decided through a rigorous interview process including and a comprehensive 48 point questionnaire. Freeman said "As a nonpartisan organization we vet the candidates thoroughly regardless of political affiliation or how they identify within the GLBT community. Jenifer simply is the best person for the job."

Jenifer Rene Pools professional qualifications:

Pool was appointed by Houston's previous Mayor Bill White as a City Commissioner of The Building & Standards Commission. During her service on that commission it became apparent to Pool there were changes needed in order for it to function properly and following her recommendation current Mayor Annise Parker formed the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Building and Standards to study and recommend amendments to the city ordinances reorganizing the Building & Standard Commission. Pool was appointed by Mayor Annise Parker to that Blue Ribbon Task Force and after reorganization was reappointed by Parker to serve on the Building & Standard Commission and the Police Advisory Commission.

Jenifer Rene Pools Political and Volunteer work for the LGBT community:

Jenifer Pool is a former three (3) term president of the GLBT Political Caucus, where her communication and organizational abilities brought the Caucus to the forefront of community involvement. She is a current board member of the Houston Transgender Unity Committee and recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award. Jenifer Pool is a steering member and past Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee of the Human Rights Campaign-Houston and a regular DJ on the Queer Voices on Houston's Pacifica Radio.

The Pool Campaign is among the top two for funds raised.

In a phone conversation Jenifer she offered this about her campaign "our campaign slogan is "Integrity and Dependability" and we are proud to stand by that". I asked Jenifer if she was prochoice the only remaining possible reason the Victory Fund would not endorse her and Pool explained "I have been on record for some time being in favor of a woman's right to choose." Jenifer Pools Campaign Manager Clay Sands added "Hands down Jenifer is clearly the most qualified candidate. She has paid her dues on behalf of our community and her actions speak for themselves."

Clearly Jenifer Rene Pool has met the requirements set by the Victory Fund through years of LGBT community volunteer work, professional and political selfless commitment to our community. So what exactly or whom is working against her endorsement by the Victory Fund?

Sadly it turns out it's one of our “own”. The orchestrating ringleader of the effort against Jenifer Pool's endorsement by the Victory Funds and her defeat is Lesbian Sue Lovell (right) who presently holds the council position Jenifer Pool is campaigning for. Lovell who will not be able to campaign for the council seat again because of term limitations.

It has been said that Sue Lovell is a dirty vindictive politician and is doing these dirty tricks out of spite. Seems her angst dates back to when Jenifer's camp endorsed Obama and Lovell's Hillary Clinton.

"The Victory Fund endorses qualified, committed openly LGBT candidates who can WIN at the ballot box. (Epithesis by the Victory Fund)

Originally I began looking into this when an anonymous source told me Sue Lovell had been heard saying "Jenifer Rene Pool is unelectable". which would be the undeniable proof of Lovell’s alleged anti Transgender campaign. I didn't find anyone willing to be quoted saying they heard Councilwoman Lovell say that, but what I found was far worst. I found a conspiracy against Pool powered by Lesbian transphobic misogynistic Lovell enabled by gay sexist elitism tailored to do one thing, defeat Jenifer Rene Pool.

My conclusions are founded on conversations with Houston's gay and lesbian political leaders and not because I am transgender or because I do want Jenifer to win this historic battle. Those whom I spoke to about this race are people of integrity whose sole focus's is helping campaigns of the most qualified Houstonians regardless of whether the person is Lesbians, Gay, bisexual, Transgender, Intersex or Queer.

To get an inside look into this I had the honor of talking with longtime full time political activist founder and former president of the Houston GLBT caucus Ray Hill (right) who said although he had never heard Lovell say Pool was unelectable "I am sure she said something to that effect to Shawn Werner Director of Campaign Services for the Victory Fund."

In fact Lovell in her zeal to torpedo Pool committed political suicide by endorsing Bolivar Fraga a gay man after the Caucus endorsed Pool. Hill explained why her endorsement of Fraga was so controversial “The strength of the GLBT Caucus is that its members vote for their endorsed politicians which was key in Lovell winning the Council seat three times".

Is Lovell is so opposed to Pool she would work against her own community using her influence garnered by her long association with the Victory Fund? Many think the answer to that question is yes.

There is a popular misconception that the Victory Fund does not endorse a LGBT candidate if there are two or more in a race. That is not true.

Endorsement Criteria: Does Victory endorse in races where more than one openly LGBT candidate is running?

"Victory recognizes that sometimes more than one openly LGBT person will seek election to the same office at the same time. In those races, Victory’s political staff will complete a thorough review of the landscape and may endorse a single candidate, make no endorsement or endorse multiple candidates."

Sue Lovell is splitting up the LGBT community's limited political will using a very attractive articulate gay man's sex appeal to force a bonny brook runoff in November if Pool or Fraga even gets that far! That’s a dirty deed.

I appeal to all of our LGBT community to reject Lovell and examine your hearts. Would you trade your libido for your integrity?

Sue Lovell has not responded to my requests for an interview. Lovell’s Chief of Staff Ken Olive last week told me the reason Council woman Lovell could not respond to my request for an interview was because it was against city ordinances to talk about political issues during working hours.

But that’s not true. Lovell spends her publicly paid time and equipment for political purposes and it’s not the first time Lovell has fought against a LGBT candidate or singled out a person of color for no other reason than spite.

According to a just published post the Houston Press reports the City of Houston's Inspector General is looking allegations that Sue Lovell has used City computers to promote the man she has recruited to oppose Jenifer Pool, Bolivar Fraga’s political campaign. If convicted Lovell could be found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. The city's code of ordinances prohibits city officials from using "the official's position or the city's facilities, equipment or supplies for the private gain or advantage of the official or others....".

Back around the bush.

The Victory Fund returned my call leaving a voice mail explaining they "do not comment on campaign endorsement decisions."

I can go along with that as long as they reconsider and endorse Jenifer Pool. She has every right to expect there backing and if they fail to do so explain why they are not. And so does every citizen in our community.

TAKE ACTION!! The more of us that ask these questions and demand accountability the stronger we become. They cannot ignore ALL us. Do not assume some else is making the call. Just do it!